
James Tyler Guitar Builder
Design a custom James Tyler guitar that's as unique as the music you make. It's quick and easy without obligation.
Celebrate 100 years of tone with Make’n Music and James Tyler Guitars! Both companies recently celebrated their 50th anniversaries and have been working together for over 35 years to bring you some of the most incredible custom, boutique, electric guitars on the market. James Tyler guitars are well known for their unparalleled feel and tone. James’ keen insight into how things work, and what players want is the main reason Tyler Guitars are coveted by top session players and performing artists worldwide.

Is a James Tyler guitar right for me?
Fantastic question! Do you play the guitar? Do you prefer underwear that fits great, or bunches up? If you answered “Yes” and you prefer comfortable underwear, then a James Tyler is probably the right choice. James Tyler Guitars are custom designed to offer the best playability, a comfortable feel, incredible sonic versatility and stunningly beautiful looks. Special ordering a custom guitar that is tailor made to suit your needs is quick and easy. We also offer a great selection of models in stock with the most popular options. Whichever choice you make, I guarantee you’ll like it as much or more than your favorite pair of underwear.

What model should I choose?
James Tyler Guitars offer loads of different models, so how do you know which one to choose? Well – it’s actually not as complicated as it might seem. First, think about what body style and configuration you are going for – Something Classic or something Modern? You can click here to view some inspiration. Then configure with woods and specifications to suit your personal needs. The common denominator for all James Tyler guitar models is that they offer the utmost in quality, comfort and playability. The rest is up to you!

James Tyler History
From hot-rodding guitars in a California garage to building some of the most sought-after custom instruments in the world, James Tyler’s journey is the stuff of guitar legend. With a career that’s spanned decades, iconic models, and collaborations with top session players, James has redefined what a boutique electric guitar can be. Bold designs, unmatched playability, and a relentless pursuit of tone — that’s the Tyler way.

Build Your Own James Tyler
Ready to go full custom? The Build Your Own James Tyler route is where your dream guitar comes to life — down to the last detail. You choose the body style, neck profile, wood types, electronics, finish… the whole enchilada. Whether you’re after a wild color combo, a specific pickup configuration, or just a neck that feels like home, we’ll work with you to dial in every aspect. It’s a collaborative, fun process, and the result is a one-of-a-kind instrument built to your exact specs — and built to blow minds.

Need some inspiration?
Not sure where to start? Take a moment to browse our James Tyler Sold Gallery — it’s packed with real-world examples of custom builds we’ve spec’d out and sold over the years. From classic finishes to wild one-offs, this gallery showcases just how diverse (and drool-worthy) a James Tyler guitar can be. It’s a great way to get ideas for your own build, or even spot a combination you didn’t know you needed. Whether you're after vintage-inspired vibes or a modern shred machine, you'll find plenty of fuel for your imagination.

What options do I need?
Loads of options are available. Choose your preferred Body-style, Woods, Electronics, Neck and Finish. Sound like a lot? Don’t be overwhelmed. Just think about the basics; like whether you need the versatility to play many musical styles or something more specialized, and if you prefer fancy figured woods or a more classic look. Pick from options that will suit your needs and the rest will fall into place. The Custom Spec Sheet offers a simple way to narrow down your choices. Just click the “Customize” button to open the sheet, use the drop downs to choose specs, and go in order from the beginning to the end. Be sure to fill in your contact info with an e-mail address and we will receive a copy of your completed spec sheet. If you have any questions about what to choose, give us a call or an e-mail. We are here to help and we will work with you until you are confident that you’ll get what you want.

How to? How long? How much?
You’ve made it this far. But you're probably wondering – How do I order? How long will it take? And how much will it cost? Once we receive your Custom Spec Sheet we can get back to you with pricing and ETA, as well as answer any questions to help you dial in the specs. We have production slots reserved every month of the year so we can always get your order placed for the fastest possible delivery. We take a small deposit upfront and the balance is due when your guitar is ready. That’s it!
About James Tyler Guitars
James Tyler combines cutting-edge aerospace tech with old-school handcraftsmanship. CNC machines and laser precision meet hours of hand-sanding, fret dressing, and final setup — all done by a small team of luthiers in Los Angeles.
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- About Us -
Celebrate 100 years of tone with Make’n Music and James Tyler Guitars! We are each celebrating 50+ years in the industry, and happy to be working together to bring you some of the most incredible custom, boutique, electric guitars on the market.
Make'n Music has been the original home of tone since 1973 and for over 50 years we've been committed to meeting the needs of our customers. As a top tier Tyler Guitars dealer, Make'n Music can help you design and build the James Tyler guitar of your dreams. We also spec and stock a hand-picked selection of premium boutique guitars. Our Chicago-area showroom in Northfield, IL is open and comfortable with private, soundproof demonstration rooms for a pleasant shopping environment, while our website is regularly updated with an incredible array of custom electric guitars, tube amplifiers and effects pedals. Knowledgeable and courteous sales professionals are always available to help make sure the gear you want is the best choice to suit your needs.
Whether you're looking to pick up a new hobby, push sonic boundaries or simply tweak your tone, Make'n Music is the place!
